Wisevoter
U.S.

Dan McClellan Appeared on Joe Rogan Experience

The Latter-day Saint scholar joined the podcast to discuss his work and address common religious misinformation.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints

Bold vector editorial illustration of an open book and ancient scrolls, representing the academic study of religious scripture.
Scripture scholar Dan McClellan defended his decision to appear on the Joe Rogan Experience, citing the opportunity to address religious misinformation with a broad audience. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe engaging with controversial media platforms is a net positive for public discourse?

Former scripture translation supervisor Dan McClellan appeared for a two-and-a-half-hour interview on the Joe Rogan Experience. The appearance sparked social media backlash, prompting the scholar to release a video response.

Why it matters

McClellan participated in the podcast to directly challenge misinformation among a massive audience. He sought consultations with individuals holding opposing viewpoints prior to his appearance.

Dan McClellan, who converted to his faith at age 20, is the author of The Bible Says So. The interview episode spans two-and-a-half hours in total.

The players

Dan McClellan

He is a scholar and former scripture translation supervisor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who authored the book The Bible Says So.

Joanna Brooks

She is an author and scholar who previously appeared on The Daily Show to discuss her work.

The details

McClellan, a former translation supervisor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed criticism regarding the host's history by posting an hour-long video defense. He noted that he spoke with numerous people who held differing perspectives before committing to the podcast appearance.

Timeline

  1. Joanna Brooks appeared on The Daily Show in 2012.

  2. The Joe Rogan Experience episode was released on October 7, 2026.

  3. McClellan discussed his feelings regarding the appearance on October 8, 2026.

  4. McClellan posted a video response to criticisms on October 9, 2026.

Culture Shift

McClellan's engagement follows a pattern of academic religious experts seeking broader reach through secular platforms, similar to Joanna Brooks' 2012 appearance on The Daily Show. This trend reflects an evolving strategy where scholars prioritize direct counter-messaging to address public misinformation.

Readers may find that this appearance alters their perspective on how religious scholars manage public discourse and digital misinformation. The visibility of the interview may also influence interest in McClellan's published works and his ongoing academic commentary.

The takeaway

Engaging with high-reach media platforms serves as a modern tool for experts to correct widespread misconceptions. Scholars often face significant public scrutiny when choosing to address sensitive topics on controversial stages.

Further reading

Explore the latest developments in the Latter-Day Saints community.

Live Poll

Do you believe engaging with controversial media platforms is a net positive for public discourse?